Top official Henrik Hololei has resigned from his main position in the EU Commission. He came under pressure in early March for allegedly flying for free on Qatar Airways several times while his general management negotiated a flight deal with Qatar.
In addition, according to the EU Commission, his hotel costs were covered. Hololei has now applied for a transfer and will act as an adviser to the Directorate-General for International Partnerships from April 1, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The government of Qatar is currently at the center of a bribery scandal involving the European Parliament, which went public in December. She is accused of influencing political decisions. Two MEPs – including the former Vice-President of the EU Parliament Eva Kaili – are currently in custody on suspicion of corruption and money laundering.
Hololei was allegedly involved by flying business class for free on Qatar Airways several times. At the time, the Directorate General was negotiating a flight agreement with Qatar.
Did you follow all the rules?
EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly said at the time that this “raised legitimate questions about possible undue influence on EU decision-making in this area”, to look into their own conflicts of interest. After the criticism, the authority tightened these requirements.
Source: Krone
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